Double play comeback

The pair is ready to pitch some cannons at the competition in May. 96691

By JARROD POTTER

ONE state-level baseballer is usually all you would find at most, in any one school. Gleneagles Secondary College however has gone one better, with baseball pitching pair Brayden McConkey and Lachlan Madden ready to represent Victoria at the upcoming Under-17 championships.
Madden, 16, from Pakenham, and McConkey, 16 from Narre Warren, both played for Baseball Victoria at the national championships earlier this year, with Madden’s Victoria Blue team narrowly edged out in the grand final against New South Wales.
They’ll now have a chance to avenge the loss by defeating the hated NSW scourge (maybe too harder words but good for player psychology), at the School Sport Australia Under-17 baseball championships, held next month in Geelong.
They both took to pitching after being thrust into the role and haven’t looked back since, as the pair prepare to pitch out of the same bullpen for their state.
“Since I started, it was the first thing I ever did – the first game I ever played, the coach said I was starting on the hill,” Madden said.
“I asked if I could have a 30 second lesson for it and have loved it ever since.”
McConkey was a late convert from cricket to baseball, but since his move into the baseball arena, he hasn’t thought of switching back.
“Only started a couple of years ago, ” McConkey said.
“Asked to pitch one day – threw a strike first ball then I asked how to throw a curveball and wanted to get straight into it – just transferring from cricket, the throwing motion felt like it was a natural thing to do.
Travelling around the state isn’t uncommon for the Gleneagles duo – with Madden plying his craft for Bonbeach and Cheltenham in the winter and summer leagues respectively while McConkey plays for Dingley and Sandringham.
“Cheltenham is Division 1, so it’s a better competition – occasional go in the ones and playing mostly in the twos so it’s going fairly well,” Madden said.
“Dingley and Sandy are sort of like sister clubs – everyone who plays is at one plays at the other,” McConkey said.
“Came mid order, finished middle of the pack, played mostly in the twos and sat in the ones, also pitched in juniors so that took me out for the day.”
While the experience of playing for the Baseball Victoria team earlier this year was phenomenal, McConkey and Madden were in agreement about one hope for the schools championships.
“Just want to beat New South Wales and come home with the championship,” Madden said.
The championships are held in Geelong from 5-11 May.